Drinkware Accessories and Drinkware Assemblies Including Drinkware Accessories

ABSTRACT

Drinkware acessories and drinkware assemblies incorporating the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a drinkware accessory includes a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabric that is coupled to the resizable attachment band and extends to a free end. The pliant fabric includes a first width evaluated at a position where the pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band and a second width evaluated at the free end, where the second width is greater than the first width.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. DesignApplication Serial No. 29/439,525, filed Dec. 12, 2012 and titled “CapedDrinkware”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates drinkware accessories thatare attached to drinkware.

BACKGROUND

Drinkware may have a variety of forms, and may be used for holdingbeverages for ease of consumption. Conventional drinkware, however, maylack features that distinguish one user's drinkware from another user'sdrinkware.

Accordingly, certain drinkware accessories may be desired.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a drinkware accessory includes a resizable attachmentband and a pliant fabric that is coupled to the resizable attachmentband and extends to a free end. The pliant fabric includes a first widthevaluated at a position where the pliant fabric is coupled to theresizable attachment band and a second width evaluated at the free end,where the second width is greater than the first width.

In another embodiment, a drinkware assembly includes a drinkware and adrinkware accessory that is coupled to the drinkware. The drinkwareincludes an interior volume and an exterior surface. The drinkwareaccessory includes a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabriccoupled to the resizable attachment band and extending to a free end.The pliant fabric includes a first width evaluated at a position wherethe pliant fabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band and asecond width evaluated at the free end, wherein the second width isgreater than the first width.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments describedherein will be more fully understood in view of the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a rear view of a drinkware accessoryaccording to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a rear view of a drinkware accessoryaccording to one or more embodiments shown or described herein;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; and

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drinkware assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments shown or described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Drinkware accessories according to the present disclosure may include aresizable attachment band and a pliant fabric that is coupled to theresizable attachment band. The pliant fabric may extend to a free end ata location away from the resizable attachment band. The pliant fabricincludes a first width that is evaluated at a position where the pliantfabric is coupled to the resizable attachment band and a second widthevaluated at the free end. The second width may be greater than thefirst width such that the pliant fabric has a generally trapezoidalshape. These and other embodiments will be described in more detailbelow in reference to the appended drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a drinkware assembly 90 that incorporates adrinkware accessory 100 is depicted. The drinkware assembly 90 mayinclude a drinkware article 92 having a shape as conventionally known.The drinkware article 92 may include an interior volume 94 that isadapted to maintain the position of a fluid, for example, a beverage.The interior volume 94 of the drinkware article 92 may be sized toaccommodate a variety of drink volumes, ranging, in general from about 1fluid ounce to about 20 fluid ounces. In some embodiments, the interiorvolume 94 of the drinkware article 92 may extend beyond 20 fluid ounces.The drinkware article 92 may also include an exterior surface 96 that ispositioned outside of the interior volume 94.

The drinkware assembly 90 may also include a drinkware accessory 100.The drinkware accessory 100 may be removably coupled to the exteriorsurface 96 of the drinkware article 92. As depicted in FIG. 1, thedrinkware accessory 100 may include a resizable attachment band 110 anda pliant fabric 120 that is coupled to the resizable attachment band110. The pliant fabric 120 may be coupled to the resizable attachmentband 110 at an attachment position 122. The pliant fabric 120 may extenddownwards from the resizable attachment band 110 to a free end 124 thatis positioned distally from the attachment position 122 of the pliantfabric 120. The free end 124 of the pliant fabric 120 may hang free fromcoupling with the resizable attachment band 110 and the drinkwarearticle 92.

The resizable attachment band 110 may couple the drinkware accessory 100to the drinkware article 92. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, theresizable attachment band 110 extends around a circumference 102. Theresizable attachment band 110 may be made from a material having a highamount of elasticity, such that the resizable attachment band 110 can beexpanded in diameter to pass over portions of the drinkware article 92and contract to provide an attachment between the drinkware accessory100 and the drinkware article 92. In one embodiment, the resizableattachment band 110 may be a silicone band.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pliant fabric 120 may have a variety of forms.In the depicted embodiment, the pliant fabric 120 has a first width 126that is evaluated at a position proximate to the attachment position122. The pliant fabric 120 may also have a second width 128 that isevaluated at a position proximate to the free end 124. The drinkwareaccessory 100 is depicted in FIG. 2 free of the drinkware article, anddepicts in greater detail the first width 126 that is evaluated at theattachment position 122 and the second width 128 that is evaluated atthe free end 124. As depicted in FIG. 2, the second width 128 is greaterthan the first width 126, such that the pliant fabric 120 of thedrinkware accessory 100 has a generally trapezoidal shape.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the free end 124 of the pliant fabric 120 mayhave a pre-determined shape. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, thefree end 124 of the pliant fabric 120 has a scalloped edge 130 thatincludes a plurality of intersecting arcs that terminate one another.

The pliant fabric 120 may be made from a variety of materials, includingwoven textiles or non-woven textiles. In one embodiment, the pliantfabric 120 may be made from woven nylon. In one embodiment, the pliantfabric 120 may be made from flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers,commonly sold under the brand name of TYVEK (R).

In some embodiments, the pliant fabric 120 may include indicia 140 thatis incorporated onto the pliant fabric 120. In some embodiments, theindicia 140 may be printed onto the pliant fabric 120. The indicia 140may be of an indicia color 142 that contrasts with a field color 132 ofthe pliant fabric 120 that surrounds the indicia 140, such that theindicia color 142 and the field color 132 contrast with one another. Inother embodiments, the indicia 140 may have a texture that contrastswith the texture of the pliant fabric 120, such that the indicia 140 andthe pliant fabric 120 texturally contrast with one another.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly190 is depicted. In this embodiment, the resizable attachment band 210of the drinkware accessory 200 includes a repositionable hook-and-loopstrap 212 that is coupled to the pliant fabric 120. The repositionablehook-and-loop strap 212 may be selectively attached and detached fromitself, and selectively increases and decreased in length to pass overcertain sections of the exterior surface 96 of the drinkware article 92,while being configured to be secured to the drinkware article 92 atcertain locations. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, therepositionable hook-and-loop strap 212 extends around an enclosedcircumference, such that the repositionable hook-and-loop strap 212 canbe secured around the desired circumference of the drinkware article 92.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly290 is depicted. In this embodiment, the resizable attachment band 310of the drinkware accessory 300 includes an interrupted andrepositionable band 312. The interrupted and repositionable band 312 maybe modified in shape such that the interrupted and repositionable band312 can be opened or closed by a user to selectively pass over certainsections of the exterior surface 96 of the drinkware article 92, whilebeing configured to be secured to the drinkware article 92 at certainlocations. In one embodiment, the interrupted and repositionable band312 may be made from a low-strength metal strip that can be manipulatedby hand by a user. As depicted in FIG. 4, the interrupted andrepositionable band 312 may extend around a portion of a circumferencethat is less than the whole circumference.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the drinkware accessory400 is depicted. In this embodiment, the drinkware accessory 400includes a pliant fabric 420 that has a first width 426 that isevaluated at a position proximate to the attachment position 422. Thepliant fabric 420 may also have a second width 428 that is evaluated ata position proximate to the free end 424. As depicted in FIG. 5, thesecond width 428 is greater than the first width 426, such that thepliant fabric 420 of the drinkware accessory 400 has a generallytrapezoidal shape. Still referring to FIG. 5, the free end 424 of thepliant fabric 420 may have a pre-determined shape. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 5, the free end 424 of the pliant fabric 420 has anarcuate edge 430 that includes a sweeping arc along the free end 424.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly490 is depicted. In this embodiment, the drinkware assembly 490 includesa drinkware article 492 and a drinkware accessory 500 that is coupled tothe drinkware article 492. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, thedrinkware article 492 includes a handle 498 that is coupled to theexterior surface 496 of the drinkware article 492.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the drinkware assembly590 is depicted. In this embodiment, the drinkware assembly 590 includesa drinkware article 592 and a drinkware accessory 600 that is coupled tothe drinkware article 592. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, thedrinkware article 592 includes a lid 599 that is selectively andremovably coupled to the drinkware article 592. The lid 599 may enclosethe interior volume 594 of the drinkware article 592, such that thedrinkware article 592 may be selectively opened or closed.

It should now be understood that drinkware accessories and drinkwareassembly incorporating the same according to the present disclosure mayinclude a resizable attachment band and a pliant fabric that is coupledto the resizable attachment band. The pliant fabric may be coupled to adrinkware article at a position proximate to the resizable attachmentband and may hang freely downward such that the free end of the pliantfabric may be decoupled from the drinkware article at positions spacedapart from the resizable attachment band. Incorporation of the drinkwareaccessory to the drinkware assembly may designate one user's drinkwarearticle from another user's drinkware article.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilizedherein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may beattributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent thedegree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a statedreference without resulting in a change in the basic function of thesubject matter at issue.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it should be understood that various other changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimedsubject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not beutilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appendedclaims cover all such changes and modifications that are within thescope of the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drinkware accessory comprising: a resizableattachment band; and a pliant fabric coupled to the resizable attachmentband and extending to a free end, the pliant fabric having: a firstwidth evaluated at an attachment position where the pliant fabric iscoupled to the resizable attachment band; and a second width evaluatedat the free end, wherein the second width is greater than the firstwidth.
 2. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the resizableattachment band extends around a circumference.
 3. The drinkwareaccessory of claim 1, wherein the resizable attachment band comprisessilicone band.
 4. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein theresizable attachment band comprises a repositionable hook-and-loopstrap.
 5. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the resizableattachment band extends around a portion of a circumference less thanthe whole.
 6. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the pliantfabric comprises a woven textile.
 7. The drinkware accessory of claim 1,wherein the pliant fabric comprises a non-woven textile.
 8. Thedrinkware accessory of claim 1, further comprising indicia printed onthe pliant fabric in a color that contrasts to a field color of thepliant fabric that surrounds the indicia.
 9. The drinkware accessory ofclaim 1, wherein the free end of the pliant fabric comprises a scallopededge.
 10. The drinkware accessory of claim 1, wherein the free end ofthe pliant fabric comprises an arcuate edge.
 11. A drinkware assemblycomprising: a drinkware article comprising an interior volume and anexterior surface; and a drinkware accessory coupled to the drinkwarearticle, the drinkware accessory comprising: a resizable attachmentband; and a pliant fabric coupled to the resizable attachment band andextending to a free end, the pliant fabric having: a first widthevaluated at an attachment position where the pliant fabric is coupledto the resizable attachment band; and a second width evaluated at thefree end, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. 12.The drinkware assembly of claim 11, wherein the interior volume of thedrinkware article is in a range from about 1 fluid ounce to about 24fluid ounces.
 13. The drinkware assembly of claim 11, wherein thedrinkware article further comprises a handle coupled to the exteriorsurface.
 14. The drinkware assembly of claim 11, further comprising alid that is removably attachable to the drinkware article to enclose theinterior volume.
 15. The drinkware assembly of claim 11, wherein theresizable attachment band of the drinkware accessory extends around acircumference of the drinkware article.
 16. The drinkware accessory ofclaim 11, wherein the resizable attachment band of the drinkwareaccessory comprises silicone band.
 17. The drinkware accessory of claim11, wherein the resizable attachment band of the drinkware accessorycomprises a repositionable hook-and-loop strap.
 18. The drinkwareaccessory of claim 11, wherein the resizable attachment band of thedrinkware accessory extends around a portion of a circumference of thedrinkware article that is less than the whole.
 19. The drinkwareaccessory of claim 11, wherein the pliant fabric of the drinkwareaccessory comprises a woven textile.
 20. The drinkware accessory ofclaim 11, wherein the pliant fabric of the drinkware accessory comprisesa non-woven textile.
 21. The drinkware accessory of claim 11, whereinthe drinkware accessory further comprising indicia printed on the pliantfabric in a color that contrasts to a field color of the pliant fabricthat surrounds the indicia.